To add or claim a Google Business Profile, first search Google Maps for your business. Claim an existing unverified listing, request access if someone else manages it, or create a profile if none exists. Then enter accurate business details and complete the verification methods Google offers. Adding or claiming a profile is free; verification and ownership requests can take additional time.
This guide covers both a new listing and an existing profile. Work through the route that matches your business rather than creating a duplicate to get around an access problem.
Before you start: eligibility and account access
Google Business Profiles generally serve businesses that receive customers at a physical location or travel to customers. Check the official eligibility and representation guidelines before setting up a profile, especially if you work from home, share an office or operate multiple locations.
Use an account the business can continue to access. Keep a record of the account owner, recovery arrangements and people responsible for updates. When a staff member or agency helps, agree on account ownership and handoff before work begins. Do not share passwords or verification codes.
How to add or claim your profile in seven steps
1. Find the existing listing, if there is one
Search Google Maps for the business name and city. Check the address and other details to identify the correct listing. If no profile exists, use Google’s add-business page. If an unverified listing exists, select Claim this business and follow the available steps. See Google’s add-or-claim instructions.
2. Resolve ownership before creating another profile
For an existing verified storefront or hybrid profile managed by someone else, follow Google’s ownership-request process. Select the business through the add-business flow and request access. The current owner has three days to respond. If there is no response, Google may offer a claim or verification option, but this is not guaranteed. Service-area business ownership transfers use the support route described in that same guide.
3. Enter the real business name and suitable categories
Use the name customers know from your actual business. Do not add services, locations or promotional wording merely to target searches. Choose the categories that accurately describe the core business. Keep a short reference sheet of approved business details so the website and profile remain consistent.
4. Choose the correct address and service-area setup
A business that receives customers at an eligible staffed location can show its address. A service-area business that travels to customers should hide its address from public display. A qualifying hybrid business can show a customer-facing address and a service area. A rented mailing address alone is not an eligible office. Follow the representation guidelines for your circumstances.
5. Add useful contact details and hours
Check that the website and phone number take customers to the actual business. Review hours and applicable holiday changes. Test the website link on a phone and confirm that visitors can find services, pricing information where appropriate and a working contact route. Accuracy is more useful than filling every field with keywords.
6. Complete the verification options Google provides
Google determines the available verification methods; you cannot freely select any method you prefer. Depending on the profile, options may include video recording, a live video call, phone, text, email or mail. More than one method may be required. Follow the instructions displayed for your own business and Google’s verification guide.
Google says verification reviews can take up to five business days, with longer reviews possible. If mail is offered, most codes arrive within 14 days. These are different stages, not a promise that every listing will be ready within one fixed deadline. If Google identifies an issue, review the explanation and follow its next steps.
7. Review the completed customer-facing profile
Add an accurate description, relevant services, genuine business photos and applicable attributes. Check the public profile against your website. Assign someone to review changed hours, contact details and customer feedback. Keep the information useful for someone deciding whether and how to contact you.
What to maintain after setup
- Business information: Review details when services, hours or locations change.
- Photos and updates: Use material that accurately represents the current business, with permission where needed.
- Reviews: Invite genuine feedback consistently. Do not offer incentives, discourage negative reviews or selectively ask only customers expected to leave positive ratings. See Google’s review policy. Reply professionally without disclosing private customer information.
- Website enquiries: Check whether visitors can complete the next step and whether enquiries are reaching the right person.
How a Business Profile supports local search
Google describes local ranking in terms of relevance, distance and prominence. Complete, accurate information helps Google understand the business, but creating a profile or adding service areas does not guarantee a particular ranking. Review Google’s local-ranking guidance alongside your website’s content and customer experience.
Measure useful outcomes over comparable periods. Profile interactions and website visits can help explain discovery; qualified enquiries, bookings and sales help establish business value. Keep those measures separate rather than treating every click as a customer.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?
Google does not charge to add or claim a profile. Professional setup or management services may carry separate fees agreed with the provider.
Can I claim a profile that an old agency manages?
Start with an ownership request for the existing listing. Use Google’s instructions for your business type and keep the confirmation email. Creating another listing is not a substitute for resolving access.
Do I need a storefront?
An eligible service-area business can have a profile without a customer-facing storefront. Check the applicable eligibility and address rules before proceeding.
How long does setup take?
Preparing details is separate from verification and any ownership request. Allow time for the method Google offers, review and possible follow-up rather than promising a twenty-minute launch.
Need help with your local search presence?
Review my SEO services or request a quote with your website, business type and the issue you are seeing. For access questions, describe the problem without sending passwords or verification codes.